Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday suffered an embarrassing barrage of hard-hitting questions from students as he grappled to tackle the unexpected situation.
The session, intended to be a platform for open dialogue, quickly turned into a challenging interrogation with students relentlessly peppering him with pointed inquiries, with one girl even asking: “Why did you feel the need to come and address amid declining economy?”
Addressing the students at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Kakar encouraged them to fearlessly explore various paths for their future without being afraid of making mistakes— a reality that was driven home soon when the students did not hold back from touching hot-button issues, putting him on the back foot as he struggled to find satisfactory answers.
In what observers and social media users described as a “feeble explanation” he offered about the election outcomes notoriously reeking of rigging, the premier said: “Pakistan’s democracy was in the transitional period.”
He then referred to the controversial 2021 Senate elections when seven votes apparently cast in favour of the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) joint candidate, Yousuf Raza Gilani, were rejected, pointing out that PTI did not embrace a pro-democratic stance until after Imran Khan's removal from power.
“Forget about who did it [the outcome of Senate polls] … we all know who did it. I was also part of it” he admitted. “It [Pakistan’s democracy] had not been a settled one like that of a European country where the democratic system had taken a shape.”
The prime minister said that to reach their destination, well-defined principles should be laid down beyond political considerations.
Some students also expressed their disappointment at PM Kakar’s late arrival, saying that it showed that he did not value the time of students and disregarded knowledge.
In the viral video of the exchange, others can be seen applauding their peers for fearlessly confronting the leader with tough questions while the premier seemingly managed to remain composed.
Meanwhile, the encounter quickly caught the attention of social media platforms, with viral clips of the incident flooding ‘X’, among other sites, thrusting the young minds of LUMS into the spotlight.
What we witnessed in LUMS was just the tip of the iceberg.
— Outlander (@AzaadOutlander) October 31, 2023
People, especially youth, are fed up with the idea of having a bleak future in this country and will show their real anger on the election day.
It's why duffers are afraid of holding elections. They've lost it badly.
One user credited former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan for the courage displayed by young students. “IK has indeed given the Pakistani nation the confidence and courage to speak up, stand with constitution, rule of law and today Pakistanis stand firm with his ideology,” she stated.
IK has indeed given the Pakistani nation the confidence and courage to speak up,stand with constitution, rule of law & today Pakistanis stand firm with his ideology. IA together under the leadership of IK we will built a brighter& prosperous Pakistan.
— Mahira Ahmed (@mahiraahmed__) October 30, 2023
LONG LIVE IMRAN KHAN!#LUMS pic.twitter.com/jp8LO1KA5R
In a tongue-in-cheek take on the caretaker prime minister’s explanation for rigged elections, one ‘X’ user said: “The caretaker Prime Minister to LUMS students: elections are always manipulated, fixed or controlled. Sometimes one party gains advantages, and sometimes other, it's not a big deal, so don't make a fuss about it.”
The caretaker Prime Minister to LUMS students, elections are always manipulated, fixed or controlled. Sometimes one party gains advantages, and sometimes other, it's not a big deal, so don't make a fuss about it. pic.twitter.com/RdbslQdGbP
— 🇵🇸 IqraNawabKhan (@EkraRT) October 30, 2023
Election delay
Regarding delay in Punjab and K-P polls, the prime minister said that the matter did not pertain to the tenure of the interim set-up and referred to Article 254 of the Constitution which said that any delay or failure to comply with the legal requirement as to time, did not render an act invalid or unconstitutional because it happened late.
He said that the caretaker government was a product of a constitutional order after the former leader of the house and leader of the opposition in the previous National Assembly adopted a constitutional procedure and agreed upon his nomination.
He said that the previous parliament had passed a law in which the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was mandated to announce an election date.
“It is the mandate of the ECP and not of the Caretaker Prime Minister to set a date for the general elections,” he said, adding if he was mandated under the constitution, he would have given the same.
PM Kakar further said that the caretaker government would assist the ECP with the provision of finances and security for a smooth process and assured to fulfil their constitutional duty.
Afghan nationals repatriation
Replying to a question regarding an incident involving Afghan nationals, the caretaker prime minister said that he had already given direction to the relevant authorities of the interior ministry to ensure the dignity of the repatriated women and children as there might be vulnerable groups.
The prime minister said that Pakistan had entertained on its soil for decades those Afghans who had been registered as refugees and compared the treatment meted out to immigrants’ boats in the Mediterranean Sea.
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